Let’s put your G Major and E Minor skills into practice with one of the most beloved Christmas songs in Latin America — Burrito Sabanero.
Written by Hugo Blanco, this joyful tune is often taught to children, sung in December, and performed at Christmas gatherings across Venezuela and other Spanish-speaking countries. In this lesson, you’ll learn the chords, strumming pattern, and frenado techniques needed to bring it to life on your Cuatro.
Burrito Sabanero
🎼 Chords You’ll Use
- G Major (Tonic)
- C Major (Subdominant)
- D7 (Dominant)
- E Minor (Relative Minor)
These chords combine the I–IV–V progression in G Major with its relative minor, E Minor, adding more emotional color to the song.
🎯 Strumming Pattern
Start with the basic frenado technique you practiced earlier:
Pattern:
💡 Tip: Once comfortable, try adding frenados on different beats to match the song’s dynamics.
🔄 Practice Variations
- Slow Tempo First – Play along at half speed until the chord changes feel smooth.
- Add Ornamentation – Include floreos or double frenados for more flair.
- Try Other Rhythms – Test the song with Aguinaldo or San Rafael strumming to give it a unique twist.
🌟 Cultural Note
Burrito Sabanero is more than a children’s song — it’s part of the Aguinaldo tradition in Venezuela, blending joyful lyrics with folk rhythms. By learning it on the Cuatro, you’re tapping into decades of holiday music heritage.
